How long does it take to Tarp a Load?

So I heard and saw some people requesting info on the Melton orientation,

Here goes-

Three tarps, all lumber, 90 lbs each

Squat, lift to chest and place back on ground without trying to #### yourself (kidding about the squeeze lol)

From a 5' 7" 173 lb 22 year old

 

40 minutes, sometimes a few hours. Depends. Once in a while with certain roofing foam sheeting, I'll get it halfway covered, take a short rest up top where no one will bother me and finish it later. Ive been known to sleep really well up there. Never mind the almost 14 foot drop...

 

It takes 30 minutes to throw straps, add 20 if you need edge protectors.
Add 30 minutes per tarp.
This is where bigger tarps save you time actually. Once you get physically fit enough to man handle the big tarps you start to save a lot of time.
Smaller tarps are easier manhandle, but you waste a lot of time since you are repeating the same steps at point a and point b ( and point c, d, e, etc those multistop drops with tarps eewww).

It used to be impossible for me just to pick up a 27 foot long lumber tarp with 8 foot sides but now I can pick it up above my head and walk 100 feet with it.
I only weigh 140 lbs so it requires a lot of balance LOL.
Consider tarping as a workout program that you get paid for.

Also consider buying lightweight tarps. They do exist and are not a myth. They cost more.

 

I remember some of the heavier canvas tarps that have been rubberized I think what you call it. Those rolled up to about the size of a human body. You learned to roll it that way so that you throw the 120 pound thing over the shoulder and fold it over the load to be tarped after climbing with it. I was not much more than 130 myself in them days, strong and fit. I started work on a horse farm and we threw 150 pound bags of feed that came at almost 8 foot long and several feet across from the silo. (That is where part of my back comes in LOL.... ow.)

 

I used to tarp about 70% of my loads until I switched to heavy haul, now I only do about 15%
One thing I found that will drastically reduce your time, is only going on the load once.
I would have both tarps put on the load.
Roll out the back and get it positioned, then roll out the front and get it positioned.
Finish everything else from the ground with a ladder or 4 step step stool.
Rarely would I ever have to go back on the load.
I found this saved me an extra 20+ minutes on the load.
Another thing I did to save time, was once I was down on the ground, I went around the trailer and prehung all the bungees. Then it was just boom, boom, boom done.

 

It really depends on what the product is, where you are and the conditions at that location.

I have tarped loads in as little as 15 minutes, some have taken up to 6 hours, a few even longer.

Just depends on my motivation.

 

Usually around an hour and a half in this 91 degree heat with lots of breaks for A/C. That’s strapping, bungees, and tarp.

 

I've been flatbedding over 30 year's and the time it takes is dependent upon the situation. My famous 20 minute tarp job is rolling tarps out securing front and back flaps with bungees and using straps to secure the sides.Im not ever gonna win a pretty tarp contest..nor do I wish to.More time spent tarping is less time spent driving. Function is beauty.

 

This is why I love it when old threads get revived. We get to relive all the old X1Heavy yarns, like this gem. Taking a nap on top of a load halfway through tarping. Sure!!!

(Long live @x1Heavy)